Innovative 'Scream Club' Therapy Gains Popularity in Chicago

Emanuel Hernandez and Elena Soboleva founded the Chicago Scream Club in June 2023. The sessions attract up to 200 participants and have expanded to over 10 cities across the United States. Inspired by a scene from the film Midsommar, the club offers a space for communal catharsis through screaming.

Participants gather, set intentions, breathe, and scream as a form of emotional release. Many attendees express feelings of sadness, frustration, and the need for connection. One participant, a musician, initially joined to work on his voice but discovered the emotional benefits of screaming.

Psychologist Paola Dieguez explains that screaming activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and helping to alleviate accumulated tension. The club aims to raise mental health awareness and provide a safe space for emotional expression.

Despite initial skepticism, many find the experience transformative. The Chicago Scream Club started with five attendees at its first event and has grown significantly, with some sessions seeing 200 participants.

Participants range from children to individuals in their eighties, showcasing the universal need for emotional release. The club has also inspired similar gatherings in places like London, where Mona Sharif organized a meetup that attracted over 1,000 people.

The founders emphasize the intentionality of the practice, ensuring it is not just about uncontrolled screaming but rather a structured way to process emotions. The sessions are designed to foster community and support mental wellness by allowing participants to connect with and release their feelings, reinforcing the idea that emotional expression is vital for mental health.